Projects
New-to-nature Biological Sensors: Unlocking the full potential of biological sensors beyond nature Ghent University
“If you can not measure it, you can not improve it” (Lord Kelvin) clearly articulates the need for efficient and robust sensors in all fields of science and technology, especially in pharma, agriculture, environment, food and industrial biotechnology. However, current analytic techniques require laborious, expensive multi-step processes with highly specialized, non-portable equipment. As a solution, all living organisms have been evolving and ...
Intracochlear diagnostics: Understanding and improving the bionic ear solution to deafness KU Leuven
Cochlear implant (CI) electrodes are considered the most successful sensory solution over time for severe to complete deafness. Despite its clinical success, little is known on how to optimally preserve the residual hearing function and to avoid scar tissue in order to allow future reimplantation. This project aims to study the cochlea, where the hair cells are located, using dielectric spectroscopy, an electrical analysis technique that ...
Optimization of apple aroma production after dynamic controlled atmosphere storage based on respiratory quotient (RQ-DCA). KU Leuven
Recently, there has been an increasing interest in dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage systems to improve fruit quality after storage and prevent storage disorders, while reducing chemical treatments thus enforcing the market position. At our research group, we have developed such novel patented RQ-DCA technology. The purpose of the system is to maintain the lowest possible oxygen concentration still avoiding too low conditions where ...
Videocystometry - an novel approach to define the role of sensory TRP channels in bladder physiology KU Leuven
The bladder wall can be considered a sensory organ that constantly gathers information on the filling state and content of the bladder. Afferent nerve fibers convey this information to the central nervous system, which ensures a timely and socially accepted voiding behaviour. Dysfunction of this sensory function leads to important bladder pathologies including bladder overactivity or bladder pain. In the bladder wall, TRP ion channels are ...
Neural networks in sensory perception Ghent University
The somatosensory system consists of a network of sensory neurons that detect and transmit information about the body's immediate environment, both internal and external, to the brain. The somatosensory system, by causing pain or itching, also has an important alarm function that warns us of potentially harmful stimuli. A wide variety of human conditions, including chronic itching and pain, irritable bowel syndrome and overactive bladder, are ...
Characterisation of TRPM3, a novel heat-sensitive ion channel in nociceptors. KU Leuven
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanobiotechnology based platform from reaching dynamics of single molecules to versatile materials and cell mechanics Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1. Sensory-motor synchronisation during walking and running to beats in metronomes in Developmental Coordination Disorder 2. Locomotor coordination when walking and running in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder Hasselt University
The role of TRP channels in human endometrium in health and disease. KU Leuven
TRP channels form a superfamily of cation channels that can be activated and regulated through strikingly diverse mechanisms, making them suitable candidates for cellular sensors. As such, TRP channels play important roles in various sensory processes such as pain. In addition, TRP channels are also crucially involved in the cellular and systemic homeostasis of calcium and magnesium. Research in the last decade has revealed that dysfunction ...